Mikel Azcona fastest again in second TCR Europe practice
PCR Sport’s Mikel Azcona backed up his morning pace with the fastest lap in the second practice session for the opening TCR Europe round of the season at Paul Ricard.
The Spaniard lapped the drying Le Castellet circuit with a best time of 2:17.921 to beat Stian Paulsen by eight tenths of a second in a Cupra 1-2.
Norwegian Paulsen exchanged fastest times with Azcona for much of the 30-minute session, with the latter profiting from the increasing grip to end up quickest of the 25 runners.
Target Competition’s Dusan Borkovic and Reece Barr enjoyed positive sessions, with the Serbian finishing just over a second off the pace in his Hyundai i30 N TCR.
Barr found himself among the the quickest early on but eventually wound up tenth in his first TCR meeting.
Reigning TCR Germany champion Josh Files set the fourth fastest time in the KCMG Honda Civic Type R FK8 TCR, one-and-a-half seconds behind Azcona.
Portugeuse racer Francisco Mora struck late on to set the fifth quickest time, one place ahead of his M1RA Hyundai team-mate Daniel Nagy.
Rounding out the top ten was Attila Tassi (KCMG Honda Civic), Nicola Baldan (Pit Lane Competition Hyundai i30), Jens Reno Moller (Reno Racing Honda Civic), all ahead of Barr’s Target Competition car.
TCR veteran Stefano Comini endured another troublesome session in his Subaru WRX STi TCR. The Italian, whose deal was announced earlier this week, languished in 24th.
Qualifiying at Paul Ricard is tomorrow at 09:58 CEST.
